Dynamo defender Jermaine Taylor signs contract extension

The Houston Dynamo today announced a contract extension for defender Jermaine Taylor.

Taylor, has been a staple of the Dynamo back line for the last two seasons, helping the club reach back-to-back MLS Cup finals. He has played 40 games with the Dynamo since he was purchased from Jamaican club St. George SC in February 2011.

Last year, he played in 27 games, with 26 starts, and started all four playoff games, including the MLS Cup final. The versatile defender played every position along the Dynamo back line in 2012.

“[Houston] has been a great place for me for the last two years and I am proud to know that I can call it home into the future," Taylor said. "I am pleased to finalize my contract and excited to focus on the team goals ahead. I look forward to being with the Dynamo for the next few years and helping the team moving forward.”

A Portland, Jamaica native, Taylor has more than 50 caps with the Jamaican national team and is on the roster for Wednesday's World Cup qualifier against Mexico. Taylor helped the Reggae Boyz reach the final round of World Cup qualifying, playing 90 minutes in each of the team's previous four matches, including a 4-1 win over Antigua & Barbuda that clinched second place in their group.

“Jermaine is a good player,” said Dynamo head coach Dominic Kinnear. “He is a strong center back and a versatile defender. I am happy to have him with us moving going forward and expect good things from him this year and beyond.”

Taylor joins Brad Davis, Tally Hall, Adam Moffat, Cam Weaver and Tyler Deric and Dynamo players who signed contract extensions this past offseason. The Jamaican international is also one of 18 players from last year's club that reached the MLS Cup final to return for 2013.

Per team and league policy, terms of the contracts were not disclosed.